To Wake Up the Nakota Language

20176 min 17 secFilm: Documentary

G

Direction: Louise BigEagle

Production: Jon MontesDavid Christensen

Script: Louise BigEagle

Produced by the National Film Board of Canada in collaboration with Creative Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative.

Across North America, Indigenous languages are at risk of disappearing. “When you don’t know your language or your culture, you don’t know who you are,” says Armand McArthur, one of the last fluent Nakota speakers in Pheasant Rump First Nation, Treaty 4 territory, in southern Saskatchewan. With an eye to the future, this 69-year-old is committed to revitalizing his language for his community and future generations. Reflecting upon the land his ancestors have called home for centuries, he brings that connection to a classroom for people of all ages, who gather to share knowledge, laughter and a way of life.

Subject categories


  • Indigenous Peoples in Canada (First Nations and Métis) > Cultural IdentityEducationPrairies
  • Education > Indigenous Peoples
  • Indigenous Studies > History/PoliticsIdentity/SocietyIssues and Contemporary Challenges
  • Roles & Relationships > Indigenous Identity
  • Indigenous Language > Language Preservation & RevitalizationNakota / Assiniboine
  • Indigenous Peoples: Canada > Nakoda (Stoney)
  • Intangible Culture & Literature > Oral Tradition

Credits


writer
Louise BigEagle
director
Louise BigEagle
director of photography
aAron Munson
editor
Trevor Aikman
sound designer
Cary Ciesielski
mentoring director
Robin Schlaht
sound recordist
David Roman
stills photographer
Taryn Snell
Nakota translation
Armand McArthur
assistant editor
Logan Vanghel
technical coordination
Luc Binette
Candice Desormeaux
technical support - editing
Isabelle Painchaud
Patrick Trahan
titles
Mélanie Bouchard
online editing
Serge Verreault
recording
Geoffrey Mitchell
re-recording
Geoffrey Mitchell
legal counsel
Christian Pitchen
centre operations manager
Darin Clausen
administrator
Bree Beach
production coordinator
Faye Yoneda
production supervisor
Esther Viragh
marketing manager
Leslie Stafford
publicist
Katja De Bock
associate producer
Dara Moats
producer
Jon Montes
executive producer
David Christensen